Apparatus for opening and closing slidable roof sections,particularly on freight cars



United States Patent [72] Inventors Felix Schneider Eckmannshausen, Kreis Siegen, Germany; Paul-Werner Wagener, Netphen (Sieg), Germany; Karl Raab, Wieshaden, Germany [21] Appl. No. 694,287 [22] Filed Dec. 28, 1967 [45] Patented Sept.l,l970 [73] Assignee Rheinstahl Siegener Eisenbahnbedarf G.m.b.l-l. Dreis-Tiefenbach, Germany [32] Priority June 3, 1967 [33] Germany [31 1 R 46,177

[54] APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SLIDABLE ROOF SECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ON FREIGHT CARS 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 105/377 [51] Int.Cl B6ld39/00 [50] Field ol'Search 105/377; 52/45-53 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,258,314 3/1918 Bruce 105/377 1,274,789 8/1918 Schedlbauer 105/377 Assistant ExaminerRichard A. Bertsch Attorne \-McGlew and Toren ABSTRACT: Apparatus for opening and closing slidable root sections of a freight car or other container includes cable sections having outer ends secured to opposite ends ofa roof sec tion and inner ends secured to a cable drum rotatably mounted on a cross connection intermediate the ends of the container. Mechanism, including transmission means operatively connected to the drum, is provided to rotate the drum to wind one cable section thereon while unwinding the other cable section therefrom to move the roof section longitudinally of the container between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism may include a crank rotatably mounted on a side wall of the container and connectible through selectively operable clutch means to either one of a pair of transmission means each operating the drum for a respective roof section of a pair of sections. The cable drum is provided with cam means operable to initially lift the inner end ofa roof section for movement over the other roof section and, when the thus opened roof section is returned to its closed position, to lock the roof section in the closed position. The cable section ends are connected to the roof section ends through springs to allow some play for the lifting and locking ofthe inner end ofthe associated roofsection.

Patented Sept. 1, 1970 3,526,194

Sheet I of 4 1: iii INVENTORS FELIX SCHNEIDER pauL-wsmvee WAGENER BY KARL RAAB ATTORNEYS Patented Sept. 1,1970 3,526,194

Sheet 2 of4 v I NVENTORS FELIX SCHNEIDER F4 UL -WERNER WAGENER BY KARL R444 8 %%A/ J? fa.

v ATTGRIVEKS Patented Sept. 1, 1976 INVENTORS rsux I SCHNEIDER PAUL-WfRNER waaause B KARL RAAB a M arm/(was 04, a x p Z w llilJlll w n 1/ 2 9 a 4 6 H M 22 2 Patented Sept. l, 1979 3,526,194

Sheet 4 of4 INVENTORS FELIX S6HNEIOEE PA Ill. -WERNER WAGENEE BY KARL RAAB 4 T TOPNFKS APPARATUS FOR OPENING AND CLOSING SLIDABLE ROOF SECTIONS, PARTICULARLY ON FREIGHT CARS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to provide containers, particularly railroad freight cars, with sectional roofs wherein the sections can be lifted and then slid longitudinally to open the roof and, among the known constructions, are those which include two identical roof sections. In the closed position of a roof consisting of two identical roof sections, the sections rest on the side walls of the container or car, the upper part of an end wall and a central cross-connection. In order to open the roof, a supporting lever is pivoted by operation of a hand lever on the top of the container or car. This supporting lever carries, at its lower end, a supporting roller bearing on the cross-connection and, when operated, lifts a roof section which can then be pushed over the other closed roof section. In the closed condition of the roof, the two identical roof sections have their adjacent inner ends at least partially overlying the crossconnection.

The roof sections run on rollers, arranged in pairs with one pair at the end of a roof section nearest the cross-connection and the other pair at the end of the roof section nearest the associated end wall. The first mentioned pair of rollers run a short distance on the cross-connection and then on tracks on the other roof section. The last-mentioned rollers run on tracks on the upper edges of the side walls, and these latter tracks have inclinations or ramps in the proximity of the associated end wall to provide a lifting movment at this end of the roof section when the roof section is moved toward the open position.

This known type of openable roof, which must form a walkway since it is opened from the top, is made oflight metal. If a roof having the same strength is to be constructed of far less expensive steel, it will have about twice the weight of a light metal roof but its costs will be only about one third those of the light metal roof. If such a steel roof is so designed that it can be opened from the bottom or from a level beneath the roof, its weight can be greatly reduced because it need not serve as a walkway.

The advantages of opening and closing such a roof from a point beneath the roof, rather than from the top of the roof, are obvious. In the first place, with overhead electric trolley wires, which are used more and more extensively with electrification of railroads, contact with these trolley wires or electric power transmission lines, which may be at a relatively high voltage, is positively avoided. In the second place, operation of the roof is much faster since it is not necessary for the operator to climb up on the roof. In the third place, accidents due to falls during climbing or from the roof are avoided and, in the fourth place, the equipment of the car is less expensive insofar as climbing means or ladders are eliminated.

It has been proposed to arrange hydraulic actuators, such as hydraulic piston-cylinder actuators, on the roof sections, to actuate lifting elements, such as known supporting levers, which bear on an abutment fixed on the container or freight car and thereby effect lifting movements of the roof sections. Arrangements of this type are actuated by a manually operable control lever which is sufficiently long that it can be manipulated by an operator standing next to the track. The lifted roof section is then moved longitudinally by the operator through the medium ofthis hand lever. An arrangement ofthis type has not found widespread acceptance, however, because, as the hydraulic system for this function, it is too expensive, in addition to which it is too susceptible to trouble under the relatively rough conditions of railroad operation.

It has also been proposed to provide special raisable and lowerable roller tracks, or raisable and lowerable flaps engaging the roller tracks, which tracks are at the same level throughout their entire length and on which the supporting rollers rest in the end positions of the roof sections. These arrangements require relatively complicated lever systems supported on the car walls for movement of the tracks and in order to be able to raise or lower all of the supporting rollers at one time.

Another proposal has been to have the roller tracks terminate at their ends, that is, in the position of the supporting rollers of a roof section in its end or closed position, in inclined surfaces or ramps on which the rollers roll up and down during longitudinal displacement of the roof section so that the moving roof section is thus lifted or lowered.

However, the various expedients mentioned above solve the problem in question only partly. While the lifting of the roof section is effected through the medium ofa more or less simple lever system operable from the ground, in order to open the roof section, the lifted roof section must be pushed .or pulled from the ground by means of a long lever. This involves a certain risk of accident in the case of poor ground conditrons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to means for opening and closing roofs of freight cars and other containers and, more particularly, to a novel and improved apparatus for opening and closing sectional roofs of railroad freight cars and other contamers.

In accordance with the invention, apparatus for opening and closing a sectional roof ofa freight car or other container is provided by means of which either section of a sectional roof can be opened or closed at will from a certain location on the freight car or the other container and without the operator having either to climb on the freight car or container or to move from a single operating location. To this end, the roof operating apparatus of the invention includes a first cable section having one end secured on that end of a roof section nearer the end wall of the freight car or container, withthe other end of the cable section being secured on a cable drum between the side walls of the freight car intermediate the ends thereof. The cable drum is mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the car or container.

A second cable section has one end secured to this drum and its other end secured on or adjacent that end of the roof section nearer the center of the car, By rotating the cable drum, with resultant winding of one cable section and unwinding of the other cable section, the sliding roof section is moved horizontally parallel to the longitudinal center line of the car or container.

The cable drum is rotated through the medium of a hand crank to which it is connected by suitable transmission means including shafts, chains and gears, with the interposition of a reduction gearing of the required ratio. Means are provided whereby, with a single hand crank or with either one of a pair of hand cranks, one on either side of the car or container, either of the two roof sections of a two-section sliding roof can be opened or closed at will.

An object of the present invention is to provide improved and simplified apparatus for opening and closing a sectional roof of a freight car or other container.

Another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which any selected section of a sectional roof can be opened or closed at will from a certain location on a freight car or other container and without the operator having to climb on the container or freight car or to leave a single operating location.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus including a rotatable cable drum and cable sections extending between the drum and the opposite ends of the roof section.

Yet, another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the cable drum for a roof section is rotatably mounted on a cross-connection between the side walls of the car or container intermediate the end walls thereof, for rotation about a horizontal axis which is perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of the car or other container.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the cable drum is rotated by a handcrank to which it is connected by suitable transmission means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus for use with a two-section roof and in which a respective drum is provided for each roof section, with a single handcrank or either one of a pair of handcranks being selectively operable to operate either one of the two drums and without the operator having to leave a single operating location.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an apparatus including cooperating means on the cable drum and the associated roof section for lifting the inner end of the associated roof section in advance of its opening movement and for locking the inner end of the associated roof section responsive to its attaining its closed position.

An ancillary object of the invention is to provide such a sectional roof operating apparatus which is simple, economical, efficient, and operationally safe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference is made to the following description ofa typical embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofa covered freight car having a two-section openable roof, with the roof shown partially opened;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the two-section roof, with the roof shown in the closed condition;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view through the freight car,

taken on the line IIIIII of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevation view, partly broken away, illustrating the cross-connection and the two associated roofsections in the closed condition of the roof; and

FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 4, but illustrating the roof sections immediately after the start of an opening operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, the invention is illustrated as applied to a covered freight car F having end walls E, E, side walls S,S, a floor or base B and a two-part sectional roof generally indicated at R. The roof R comprises two roof sections 1 each movable longitudinally of car F between a closed position and an opened position. In the opened position of the roof R, one roof section 1 overlies the other roof section I and, in the closed position of the roof R, the inner ends of the roof sections 1 at least partially overlie a cross-connection 7 extending between side walls S intermediate end walls E.

Each roof section 1 includes. adjacent its outer end or the end thereof adjacent the associated end wall E in the closed position of the roof section, a transverse rod or partition 2 having one end of a spring 3 secured thereto. The opposite end of each spring 3 is secured to one end of a cable or cable section 4 which is guided over a guide roller 6 rotatably mounted on an end cross rod or partition 5 and has its other end secured on a cable drum 9 mounted on cross-connection 7 for rotation about a horizontal axle 8 which is perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of car F. Another cable section 10, which may be part of a single cable including the cable section 4, has one end secured on cable drum 9 and is partly wound on the cable drum. The cable 10 is guided over a guide roller 12 rotatably mounted on another cross rod 11 adjacent the inner end of the associated roof section 1, which is the end overlying the cross-connection 7 when roof R is closed. The end of cable section 10 is secured to one end of the spring 13 whose opposite end is secured to a cross member or rod 14 of the associated roof section.

When a roof section 10 is in the roof closing position, cable section 4 can be wound on cable drum 9 by rotating the cable drum and the roof section is thus lifted. The other cable section 10 is unwound to the same degree from the cable drum 9 as cable section 4 is wound on the cable drum, and runs over a guide roller 15 rotatably mounted on cross-connection 7 i Closing of a roof section 1 is effected in a similar manner, but

by rotating cable drum 9 in the opposite direction.

There are two cable drums 9 rotatably mounted on crossconnection 7, one operatively associated with each roof section 1 and the respective cable sections 4 and 10 connected to the associated roof section. Either cable drum 9 may be rotated by a handcrank or hand wheel 16 rotatably mounted at a fixed location on car F, such as at the center of car F in a position easily accessible from the ground as best shown in FIG. 1. Each handcrank or hand wheel 16 has fixed thereto, to rotate coaxially therewith, a respective sprocket 22, connected by an endless chain 24 to a respective sprocket 21 coaxial with a clutch 25 operated by a clutch handle 26. Clutch handle 26, and the clutches 25, may be operated conjointly from either side of the car. Sprockets 21 are rotatable about an axis beneath floor or base B and which is also the axis ofa rotatable coupling shaft or rod 27 extending beneath floor B. By selective operation of clutch handle 26 to control clutch 25, sprocket 21, adjacent the righthand side of the car as viewed in FIG. 3, may be coupled either directly to a sprocket 20 or, through coupling rod or shaft 27, to a sprocket 20a on the lefthand side of the car F as viewed in FIG. 3. Similarly, the sprocket 21 on the lefthand side of the car may be connected either directly to sprocket 20a or, through coupling rod or shaft 27, to sprocket 20, again through selective operation ofclutch 25 through clutch handle 26.

Respective endless chains 23 and 230 are trained around the sprockets 20 and 200 at their lower ends and around sprockets 19 at their upper ends. Each sprocket 19 is connected through universal couplings 18 and a shaft 17 to rotate a respective drum 9, and suitable reduction gearing may be provided if necessary or desirable in the drives for the drums 9v Thus. either roof section 1 can be opened or closed from either longer side S of car F.

In the closed condition of roof R, roof sections I extend in the same plane or at the same level, so that the roof section 1 to be opened must first be lifted a certain amount. Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, such lifting is effected by cams 28 arranged in circumferentially spaced relation at one end of each cable drum 9. These cams are engageable with respective finger bars or plates 29 each secured on the inner side of a respective roof section 1. When the associated cable drum is turned to open the roof section, cams 28 engage beneath the associated finger bar 29 and lift the connected roof section 1 through a distance sufficient for the roof section to move over an inclined surface member 30 on cross-connection l and to the level of rails 31 extending along both sides of the other roof section. Such lifting movement is made possible by virtue of the springs 3 connecting each cable section 4 of the associated cross member 2, since no horizontal movement of a roof section 1 is possible until the roof section has been lifted.

The end of the roof section 1 nearest the associated end wall E of car F is also lifted, during longitudinal movement of the roof section, by an inclined surface or ramp 32 and through the necessary distance. As soon as the inner end of a roof section I has been lifted a distance sufficient that the finger bar 29 no longer bears on the associated cams 28, this end of the roof section moves on rollers 33, arranged under its inner corners, over the inclined surface 30 and onto rails 31 which are secured on the upper surface of the other roof section. The opposite end of the roof section moves on rails 34 secured on the upper chords of the side walls and which are formed with the inclined end ramps or surfaces 32.

As long as a cable drum is not turned, the associated roof section 1 remains locked in the closed condition by virtue of earns 28 extending through finger bar 29. When a handcrank 16 is locked, with the roof R closed, a satisfactory seal, such as, for example, a customs seal, for the roof is insured, since cable drum 9 can be turned only by crank 16.

We claim:

1. In a container having end walls, side walls, at least one cross-connection between the side walls intermediate the end walls and longitudinally slidable roof sections movable longitudinally of the container between a closed position, in which the adjacent ends of a pair of roof sections overlie the cross-connection, and an opened position, in which one roof section of the pair overlies the other roof section of the pair: apparatus for opening and closing the roof sections comprising, in combination, a cable drum rotatably mounted on a cross-connection; a first cable section having an end secured to that end portion of a roof section remote from said cross? connection in the closed position of the roof section, and secured to said drum for winding and unwinding relative to the latter; a second cable section having an end secured to that end portion ofa roof section near said cross-connection in the closed position of the roof section, and secured to said drum for winding and unwinding relative to the latter; mechanism, including transmission means operatively connected to said drum, operable to rotate said drum to wind one cable section thereon while unwinding the other cable section therefrom to move said roof section longitudinally of the container between opened and closed positions; there being a pair of said roof sections, a pair of cable drums rotatably mounted on the cross-connection and each operatively associated with a respective section, two pairs of first and second cable sections each operatively connected to a respective roof section and to the associated cable drum therefor, and respective mechanisms, each including transmission means operatively connected to the drum associated with a respective roof section and operable to rotate said respective drum to wind one associated cable section thereon while unwinding the other associated cable section therefrom to move the respective roof section longitudinally of the container between opened andclosed positions; manually operable operating means forming part of at least one of said mechanisms and mounted in an easily accessible position on the exterior surface of a wall of said container; and clutch means selectively operable to connect said manually operable operating means to either of said transmission means to operate a selected one of the two roof sections between the opened and closed positions thereof.

2. In a container having end walls, side walls, at least one cross-connection between the side walls intermediate the end walls and longitudinally slidable roof sections movable longitudinally of the container between a closed position, in which the adjacent ends of a pair of roof sections overlie the cross-connection, and an opened position, in which one roof section of the pair overlies the other roof section of the pair: apparatus for opening and closing the roof sections comprising, in combination, a cable drum rotatably mounted on a cross-connection; a first cable section having an end secured to that end portion of a roof section remote from said crossconnection in the closed position of the roof section, and secured to said drum for winding and unwinding relative to the latter; a second cable section having an end secured to that end portion ofa roof section near said cross-connection in the closed position of the roof section, and secured to said drum for winding and unwinding relative to the latter; mechanism, including transmission means operatively connected to said drum, operable to rotate said drum to wind one cable section thereon while unwinding the other cable section therefrom to connected to the drum associated with a respective roof section and operable to rotate said res ective drum to wind one associated cable section thereon whi e unwinding the other as sociated cable section therefrom to move the respective roof section longitudinally of the container between opened and ,closed positions; said manually operable operating means ineluding a pair of handcranks each rotatably mounted in an easily accessible location on the exterior surface of a pair of opposite walls of said container; and clutch means selectively A "operable to connect either of said handcranks to a selected one of said transmission means.

g 3. In a container having end walls, side walls, at least one cross-connection between the side walls intermediate the end walls and longitudinally slidable roof sections movable loncross-connection, and an opened position, in which one roof section of the pair overlies the other roof section of the pair:

apparatus for opening and closing the roof sections comprising, in combination, a cable drum rotatably mounted on a including transmission means operatively connected to said drum, operable to rotate said drum to wind one cable section thereon while unwinding the other cable section therefrom to move said roof section longitudinally of the container between opened and closed positions; said cable drum being mounted for rotation about a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of said container; and respective springs each connecting an end ofa respective cable section to an end portion of the associated roof section.

4. ln a container, apparatus for opening and closing slidable roof sections therefor, as claimed in claim 3, including cams projecting from at least one end of said cable drum adjacent the periphery of such one end and in peripherally spaced relation; and finger bar means extending from the underside of that end of the roof section near said cross-connection in the closed position of the roof section and engageable with said cams; said cams, during initial rotation of said cable drum, lifting such end of the roof section near said cross-connection for movement of said roof section slidably over the other roof section; said springs providing sufficient play for said cable sections to accommodate said lifting of the roof section.

5. In a container, apparatus for opening and closing slidable roof sections therefor, as claimed in claim 4, in which said 

